2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE Owners Manual

2-35
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) without first pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver's seat. To find out how, see ªShifting Into
PARK (P)º in the Index.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some
of the pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).

2-36
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition key is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transaxle
Operationº in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you ever
hold the brake pedal down, but still can't shift out of
PARK (P), try the following:
1. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Shift Lock Release
This vehicle is equipped with an electric shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to do
the following:

Prevent the ignition key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK (P), and

Prevent movement of the console shift lever (DTS
only) out of PARK (P) unless the ignition is in a
position other than OFF. The shift lock release is
always functional except in the case of a dead battery
or low voltage (less than 9 V) battery.
If your vehicle has a dead battery or a battery with low
voltage, there is a procedure that will allow you to
override the shift lock release.

2-37
The following procedure allows the ignition to be turned
to OFF and for key removal in case of a dead or low
voltage battery.
1. Verify that the shift lever
is in PARK (P).
2. Locate the override
access slot underneath
the steering column
below the lock cylinder.
3. Remove the override access slot cap.
4. Insert a screwdriver into the access slot, press in
and hold.
5. Turn the ignition to OFF.
6. Remove the screwdriver from the slot.
7. Remove the key from the ignition.
8. Replace the override access slot cap.The following procedure applies only to vehicles with
the console shift lever and is used to shift the transaxle
out of PARK (P) (if the vehicle needs to be towed,
for example) in case of a dead or low voltage battery.
The console shift lock
release is located on the
front of the center console.
To access the shift lock release, do the following:
1. Verify that the shift lever is in PARK (P).
2. Pull up the rubber mat located on the front of the
center console.
3. Remove the shift lock release hole cover by prying it
open with a coin or small diameter screwdriver.

2-38
4. Press the shift lock
release toward the front
of the vehicle and hold
it there.
5. While applying the brakes, shift the transaxle from
PARK (P) as needed.
6. Reinstall the shift lock release hole cover and the
rubber mat.Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.

2-39
Engine Exhaust
CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:

Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.

Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.

Repairs weren't done correctly.

Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:

Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and

Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
Running Your Engine While
You're Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See ªBlizzardº in the Index.

2-40
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake after
you move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Horn
Nearly the entire surface of the center pad of the
steering wheel is an active horn switch. Press on the
pad near the horn symbols to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
The tilt wheel control is
located on the outboard side
of the steering column.
Tilt steering allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. Raising the steering wheel to the
highest level gives your legs more room when you enter
and exit the vehicle.
Hold the steering wheel and pull the lever toward you to
bring the steering wheel close to you. Adjust the steering
wheel to a comfortable position and then release the
lever to lock it into place.

2-41
Power Tilt and Telescopic Wheel
(If Equipped)
The power tilt wheel control
is located on the outboard
side of the steering column.
To operate the power tilt feature, push the control up
and the steering wheel will tilt up. Push the control
down and the steering wheel will go down.If the power tilt control is pressed up or down and held
in that position, there will be a slight movement and a
slight pause followed by a continuous movement in the
direction the control is being pressed. This allows very
fine control of the steering wheel position. If the control
is bumped, the steering wheel moves approximately
one degree in the direction commanded.
Push the control forward and the steering wheel moves
toward the front of the vehicle. Push the control
rearward and the steering wheel moves toward the
rear of the vehicle. To set the memory position,
see ªMemory Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheelº in
the Index.

2-42
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:

Turn and Lane Change Signals

Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer

Flash
-To-Pass

Windshield Wipers

Windshield Washer
Turn and Lane Change Signals
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
The lever returns automatically when the turn
is complete.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn
or lane change.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash to
signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane change
is complete. The lever returns when it's released.
If the turn signal is left on, a warning chime will sound
and the Driver Information Center (DIC) will display
TURN SIGNAL ON (after driving about a mile) to
remind you to turn it off.
Arrows that flash rapidly when signaling for a turn or
lane change may be caused by a burned out signal bulb.
Other drivers won't see the turn signal.
Replace burned
-out bulbs to help avoid possible
accidents. Check the fuse (see ªFuses and Circuit
Breakersº in the Index) and for burned
-out bulbs if
the arrow fails to work when signaling a turn.